Perthshire pet searching service saluted on National Dog Day

dailyrecord.co.uk:

It was National Dog Day on Friday, August 26 and when it comes to celebrating Perthshire pooches, kind-hearted Katie McCandless-Thomas from Perth is a person who is devoted to tracking down any animal unfortunate enough to get lost.

Not counting cats and other animals, Katie reckons she has helped well over 400 dogs find their owners after getting lost or separated and her Missing Pets Perth and Kinross Facebook page has saved many tears and lifted many hearts.

Katie - who had her wee dog Baxter as a special guest at her and Laurie’s wedding - was recently recognised for having done so much to help owners locate their pets when the worst happens and they go missing.

She and best friend and volunteer Christine Faulds Quinn got invited to the Queen’s Royal Garden Party at Holyrood Palace after the Lord Lieutenant of Perthshire put them forward to be in attendance. “It was a wonderful experience and we both felt very lucky to be invited to such a special occasion,” Katie told the PA.She had personal reasons for founding the popular page which has gathered 26,000 likes.“I started up Missing Pets Perth and Kinross after our own family dog Charlie went missing,” Katie explained.“It was a horrible experience to have a beloved family pet go missing and not to have a clue where they were and if they were alright, so that’s why I set up Missing Pets to try and help others who were going through similar.“Over the years Missing Pets has grown an incredible amount with support from the local community who truly are a county of animal lovers and extremely supportive volunteers who go out their way to offer practical advice to owners, emotional support and give up hours or days of their time to ground search for an animal in need of